Closures and Cancellations in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Gallatin City-County Health Department is your primary source of information for Coronavirus (COVID-19), and have opened a call center for general information. Operation hours are everyday from 8 AM - 5 PM (MDT). To contact the call center call 406-548-0123 or email callcenter@readygallatin.com. For more information, visit their website for the latest updates and information to help you stay healthy.

A Message from Mayor Chris Mehl: Be Kind, Be Bozeman

City of Bozeman starts phased reopening plan for City buildings

Starting May 11, 2020 City of Bozeman buildings will start a multi-week phased reopening plan to gradually reopen to the public. The plan will start the week of May 11th with the Alfred M. Stiff Professional Building, followed by the rest of City buildings the week of May 18th. This plan is gradual and phased over many weeks and does not necessarily mean that buildings will open to the public immediately or that all staff will be back to work in the building immediately.

Please see each individual department below for specific hours and access information. Some buildings and departments may have reduced or limited availability as we transition to reopening.

Opening the week of May 11th: Alfred M. Stiff Professional Building

Opening the week of May 18th: City Hall, Bozeman Public Library (remains closed to the public), Beall Center, Story Mill Community Center

City Manager Administrative Orders

City Manager Taylor has signed a number of administrative orders related to the City's respond to COVID-19. All orders are available on our website.

City of Bozeman Departments are listed below, with updated public service delivery and contact information in the drop down menus.

Finance: Utility Bill Payments, Parking Ticket Payments

UPDATED:5/11/2020

The City Finance Department will start to transition back to City Hall the week of May 18th. Starting the week of May 15th the Finance office will be open to the public for limited hours from 10 AM - 2 PM.

While offices will be starting to open we encourage you to make use of alternate options to use the services of the Finance Department.

Drop Off - Put your payment in the drop box outside City Hall

Mail - Finance Department, PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230

Pay Online - Visit www.bozeman.net, "I want to... pay my utilities"

Call - 406-582-2333 to pay using interactive voice response

Call and leave a detailed message for someone to return your call within two business days 8am-5pm 406-582-2303

The Bozeman Public Library will start its phased reopening the week of May 18th. Staff will continue to work from home as they are able and other staff will return to work on staggered shifts.

The Library building will remain closed to the public for all of Phase 1 of the Governor’s Phased Reopening plan. At this time there is no expiration date to Phase 1 per the Governor’s directive. Online services and access to materials remain available: bozemanlibrary.org.

Curbside Service: Starting May 18th the Library will offer curbside service Mondays-Thursdays from 12-6 PM. Please visit the Library's website for details about how to participate in curbside service.

Returns: Starting May 15th the Library will accept book returns every Friday, from 9 AM - 4 PM. Patrons may not return items while picking up items from Curbside services and we will not accept returns directly from patrons. Please visit the Library's website for details about this service.

City Clerk: Public Comment, Public Meetings, Bids, etc...

UPDATE:5/11/2020

The City Clerk’s office will transition back into the office the week of May 18th. The office will be open to the public starting the week of May 25th. Please call 582-2306 with questions.

Citizen Advisory Board meetings are cancelled until further notice. We intend to hold essential public meetings remotely, including the City Commission meetings. Updates will be included in the next agenda that will be posted online and noticed in the newspaper.

Records requests will still be distributed, but if staff cannot access the information remotely, they will not be able to fulfill them

Parking

UPDATE:5/11/2020

Starting the week of May 25th the Finance Department in City Hall will reopening to the public with limited hours (10 AM - 2 PM.) Parking tickets can be paid in person during these hours, though we encourage you to pay your ticket online by using the Parking Portal: bozeman.net/government/parking.

Community Development: Planning, Building, Business Licensing, Short term rentals

UPDATED:5/11/2020

Starting the week of May 11th the Community Development department will gradually return to the office. May 14 and May 15 offices will be open to the public with limited hours from 10 AM - 2 PM. Starting the week of May 18th counter operations will open with full hours. Meetings with individual staff will be by appointment only.

Though offices are opening we encourage you to take advantage of the new procedures for digital submittal of development review applications. Please visit our COVID-19 Development Review Procedure Webpage for instructions, forms, and checklists for new processes.

Citizen Advisory Board meetings are cancelled until further notice. Essential Citizen Advisory Board meetings may be held remotely in the near future.

With few exceptions, the City of Bozeman’s citizen advisory boards will not convene during the month of May. We will intend to resume those meetings as generally scheduled in the summer months, even if those meetings are held virtually.

City Commission

UPDATE:5/11/2020

City Commission meetings will continue to be held virtually through the month of May, using remote meeting technology to allow for public comment and staff reports. No in-person attendance will be allowed at those meetings. Weekly City Commission agendas will have information about how to view the meeting, and also how to give written and oral public comment.

Bozeman Police Department

UPDATE:5/11/2020

The Bozeman Police Department is dedicated to protecting and serving the people of Bozeman. We will continue to do so during this public health emergency. This is a quickly evolving situation that requires the Bozeman Police Department to do our part to limit exposure without interrupting the high level of service provided to our community. It is necessary that we maintain a healthy workforce so that we may continue providing emergency services when called upon. We have identified certain operational measures that can be temporarily modified for the community and our members.
It is important to note that the Bozeman Police Department is actively patrolling and continues to answer all calls for service. Our number one goal and priority is to respond in person as quickly as possible to public safety emergencies. For non-emergencies, however, we are encouraging other forms of reporting such as telephone and online to follow social distancing guidelines. Disturbances, thefts in progress, burglaries, welfare checks, injury vehicle crashes, and other similar calls will still be dispatched, and Detectives will continue to investigate crimes.
The following operational guidelines are in effect:

For emergencies, still call 9-1-1. To make a non-emergency report, call (406) 582-2000

When possible, and there is not a life-safety issue, BPD officers will be taking reports over the telephone. This will reduce the possible inadvertent transmission of the virus. If someone calls the police, they may get a phone call from an Officer or Public Information Specialist. If circumstances develop that would require officers, then they will respond.

Community members can also file a police report online rather than in-person. This process is easy and all reports are reviewed by a Public Information Specialist or an Officer. Online reporting helps to keep officers available to focus on emergency calls for service. Online reporting can be done here: https://www.bozeman.net/government/police/report-a-crime

We have temporarily suspended our presence at community engagement events, but we are collaborating with our local partners to improve our ability to bring the best service possible to the community.

Please see the important links and resources on this page.

Bozeman Fire Department

UPDATE:5/11/2020

The duties of BFD are considered essential and mission critical services. Therefore, the public can expect no change in emergency services.
Public education and outreach services are cancelled until further notice.
Fire Stations 1, 2, and 3 are closed to the public, including the meeting room at Fire Station 3.

City Attorney

UPDATE: 5/15/2020

Starting the week of May 25th the City Attorney's office will be open to the public as City Hall reopens.

Currently, City Hall remains closed to the public. During this time you may request discovery by going to our Defendant Information page. Click on Discovery Request and complete the form. We will complete your discovery request and mail it to you as soon as we are able. While City Hall is closed, there will be no charge for discovery or postage.

It is our standard policy to complete discovery requests by court date, completing those requests in which a court date is quickly approaching first. For example, discovery will be completed for a case in which a hearing is set for May 1st before a case in which a hearing is set for May 15th.

Office staff will be working remotely until the end of June. Online tools are fully operational and can be accessed through our homepage. If you have data requests please visit our website for contact information:

Several resources are available to help with response and recovery throughout the community:

Facilities staff have resumed full operations throughout all City owned facilities as of March 11th. Extensive efforts have been made to prepare all buildings with the appropriate supplies and protocol necessary to open to the public. Personal Protection Equipment has been issued to all staff, along with standardized cleaning and disinfection practices for all buildings. We appreciate your patience as we try to maintain a safe environment for all.

Building Division is currently closed to the Public. Office staff is working remotely.

Inspections will continue as normal, please either call 406.582.2374 or go to the Click2Gov site. To schedule your inspection electronically. Inspection request cut off time remains 4:00pm for next business day inspections.

We will be allowing stand-alone (hot water heater, service updates, roof, etc) applications to be submitted electronically (instructions are located under “Guides” on our home page) or you can email permits@bozeman.net for instructions.

All other applications will be accepted online only, there are no plans for applications to be dropped off at this time.

Plans approved via e-plan, please see instructions under “Guides” on the website for current instructions.

Public Works

UPDATE: 3/27/2020

Includes Streets, Signs, Signals, Lighting, Water, Sewer, Waste water:
We are still conducting business as usual.
Offices are not open to the public but we are able to respond to phone calls: 406-582-3200.
Vehicle Maintenance is not open to the public. No Waste oil or Anti-freeze drop off at this time.
The Pot hole reporting line is open: 406-582-3208

The following permits are being accepted via email to kmaines@bozeman.net. Applications can also be mailed to: City of Bozeman, Engineering Division, P.O. Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771.

Street Cut permits

Encroachment permits

Public Right-of-Way Utility Occupancy Permits

Sidewalk/Driveway/Curb Cut Permits

At this point, we are invoicing the applicant for any applicable fees. If you’ve been asked to submit fees by the Engineering Department for development applications, please call 406-582-2273 or email kmaines@bozeman.net to make payment arrangements.

To schedule an occupancy inspection with the Stormwater Division, please reach out to fgreenhill@bozeman.net.

Public Assembly permits, parade permits, and open container waivers won’t be accepted until May 1st and only for events that will occur after May 31st. All permits for events currently scheduled between now and May 31st are cancelled per City Order ED-03. They may be reinstated if the current situation changes between now and the date of the event.

Solid Waste

UPDATE: 3/27/2020

The Solid Waste Division is continuing with operations and services.
Any questions or concerns please call 406-582-3236

Parks, Recreation, Pools

UPDATED: 6/1/20
Bozeman Swim Center Update:
During both Public Lap Swim times of 5:30-7:30 am and 11:00 am-1:00 pm, Monday-Friday, Lane 1 will be available for water joggers and water fitness patrons, and Lanes 2-8 are reserved for lap swimming.

Locker rooms and Swim Center close promptly at 7:45, staff will disinfect all touch surfaces in the locker rooms, on the pool deck, and pool equipment.

8:00-9:00 am BMA Swim Team Practice

Locker rooms and Swim Center close promptly at 9:15, staff will disinfect all touch surfaces in the locker rooms, on the pool deck, and pool equipment.

9:30-10:30 am Barracuda Swim Team Practice

Locker rooms will close promptly at 10:45, staff will disinfect all touch surfaces in the locker rooms, on the pool deck, and disinfect equipment.

11:00 am -1:00 pm Public Lap Swim

Locker rooms will close promptly at 1:15, staff will disinfect all touch surfaces in the locker rooms, on the pool deck, and disinfect equipment.

Locker Room Capacity will be limited to prevent gathering, please limit use as possible. Swim Center total use capacity is reduced to 75%. We look forward to seeing you back in the water!

UPDATED: 5/28/20
All 55 city park playgrounds will re-open Monday, June 1st.

UPDATED: 5/26/20

Swim Center Hours: Beginning June 1st, we will be open from 5:30-7:30am and from 11am -1pm, Monday -Friday only, for lap swimming. Locker rooms will close promptly at 7:45am and 1:15pm.

Please come prepared to swim, and if possible shower at home after swimming in order to help maintain social distancing in the locker rooms.

UPDATED: 5/1/2020

Parks and Recreation offices will reopen May 18th. Reservations for recreation and park facilities and program registration, in compliance with the Governor’s phased plan, will resume in person, online or by phone. For more information, call 406-582-2290, Monday thru Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. General inquiries and questions can be emailed to recdept@bozeman.net.

UPDATED: 4/27/2020

In response to the Governor's phased reopening directive, the Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department’s spring T-ball league has been cancelled. Full refunds will be issued for everyone who is registered. We appreciate your understanding. Please feel free to contact our main office, (406)582-2290 or the Assistant Recreation Manager, Holly Crane at hcrane@bozeman.net with any questions.

UPDATED: 4/3/2020

Due to COVID-19, Recreation and Aquatic program registrations are temporarily suspended until May 1st. Please enjoy your parks and trails responsibly.

UPDATED: 3/31/2020

Starting Thursday, April 2, 2020 the City of Bozeman will be closing all City of Bozeman public playgrounds until further notice to help stop the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19.)

The closure includes all 52 play structures, swings, slides, climbing apparatus (including climbing boulders), spinners, spring toys, zip lines, and any other equipment associated with a playground. The closure also includes the City of Bozeman Skate Park at Kirk Park. The closure will not include City of Bozeman parks or dog parks. Also, after careful consideration of the current circumstances around Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department is canceling all recreation and aquatic programming until further notice, effective immediately. The safety of the public and our staff remain our top priority.

All recreation facilities will be closed until further notice. This includes the following: Bozeman Swim Center, Story Mill Community Center and Parks and Recreation Department main office, Beall Park Recreation Center, Lindley Center, Story Mansion, and Southside Park building. All outhouses and toilets are also closed.
All Recreation Facility reservations are cancelled until further notice with full refunds for cancelled reservations to be issued. The City will not accept new reservations for recreation and park facilities until May 1, 2020.
General inquiries and questions can be emailed to recdept@bozeman.net, or a voice mail may be left at 406-582-2290.

Forestry

UPDATE: 3/27/2020

• Forestry operations are limited to storm emergencies and other immediate public safety concerns.
• We are still preparing for a planting season. Lott O’ Trees and the Cost Share Program are still active and accepting entries.
• Please contact Forestry Division Manager Alex Nordquest. (Phone: 406-582-3225 Email: anordquest@bozeman.net)

Cemetery

UPDATE: 3/27/2020

The Cemetery office is closed. We however are still going in to provide burial service to the public. Burial notifications should be made to 582-2327.

Please correct the field(s) marked in red below:

Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options.

Due to City Hall's closure in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person delivery of comments is not available until further notice.

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Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options.
Public comment may also be given at any public meeting.
Email:
agenda@bozeman.net
Mail to:
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
In-person delivery to:
Due to City Hall's closure in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person delivery of comments is not available until further notice.

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Comments

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